Dancers fly the flag for South Tyneside in Wales

Dancers have been flying the flag for South Tyneside by impressing Welsh judges with their talents.

A nine-strong team from the Sarah Howe Cookson School of Dance recently competed at the Dance Factor Championships in Wales.

The girls, who train at Perth Green Community Association, in Inverness Road, Jarrow, competed in freestyle, slow and street events.

Impressively, every single one of the girls, who are aged between five and 13, came away with at least one trophy.

After battling it out against some of the best dancers across the country, the group took awards for category wins, top three’s, finalists and runner ups.

Sarah Cookson, from Simonside, South Shields, said: “I am extremely proud of all of them, freestyle dancing takes a lot of hard work and dedication, and the time and effort they put in shows in their results.

“The competition was very tough, all grades and ages were of such a high standard.

“Well done to the parents also as without their support these memories would not be made and their child’s dreams could not be achieved.

“It was an amazing weekend.”

Abbey Burns, from South Shields, had a struggle to pick her trophy up as it was even bigger than her.

The 13–year–old danced up an age group in the Under 16s and won her section earning her the 5ft tall award.

Ella Callaghan and Summer Maguire also triumphed in the street category.

To find out more about the types of dance classes held visit www.sarahhowecoookson.co.uk or email sazor3@hotmail.com.